Plaza Gardens Dinner with Characters – Is It Worth It? My Best Tips
If you’re looking for a fantastic character dining experience at Disneyland Paris, the Plaza Gardens dinner is a solid option. I recently dined here and got to meet some amazing characters while enjoying a rather delicious buffet. Here’s everything you need to know before booking your meal, plus my tips to make the most of it!
The Characters – Meeting the Big Boss and Friends
One of the biggest highlights of Plaza Gardens Dinner is the character lineup. I was so lucky to meet an incredible lineup:
- Mickey Mouse – The star of the show! Looking dapper as always.
- Minnie Mouse – My bestie! She was so charming and sweet.
- Goofy – Full of energy and hilarious interactions.
- Pluto – Playful as ever, making guests laugh.
- Tigger – Bouncing in with his usual enthusiasm.
- Eeyore – My absolute favourite, bringing all the moody cuteness.
🤓 GOOD TO KNOW: The Disneyland Paris Plaza Gardens dinner characters rotate! So while you might not meet the exact same ones, you’ll always get a great selection of classic Disney favourites.
The interactions here were next level. Minnie Mouse didn’t just stop for a quick photo—she actually sat down next to us on the bench, making it feel like such a special, once-in-a-lifetime moment. It’s those kinds of interactions that make character dining truly magical.
💡 Pro Tip: There’s no PhotoPass photographer here, so make sure your phone is charged and ready! If you’re solo (like I was), don’t worry—the lovely Cast Members are more than happy to snap some pictures for you, but you may need to grab one as they don’t automatically come over.
The Food – A Slight Change (for the Better?)
Okay, let’s talk about the food. Since my last visit, I noticed that while the variety has shrunk a little, the quality has gone up. It felt less like theme park food and more like something you’d get at a nice restaurant.
Now, this might be great news for some and not so great for others. If you love classic buffet-style dishes, you might find it a bit different from before. But personally? I really enjoyed it!
What’s on the Menu?
Here’s what stood out on the Plaza Gardens dinner buffet:
- Meat such as steak and chicken with sauces
- Baked salmon in lemon sauce
- Seafood such as prawns and smoked salmon
- Vegetarian dishes such as lentil salad, gnocchi and vegetable salads
- Sliced cold meats and French cheeses
- A selection of bread and butter
- Fussy eater-friendly plain rice and pasta. As well as Mickey-shaped potatoes (croquettes)
- Prepared salad such as mozzarella and tomato, coleslaw and cucumber salad
- A selection of make-your-own salads with lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet corn, mushrooms, boiled eggs etc and dressing
- Fun mini desserts such as macaroons, fruit tarts, chocolate mousse, chocolate Mickey cake, Mickey cheesecakes and fruit salad AND a chocolate fountain
🚨 No Dedicated Kids’ Buffet
One thing that stood out was the lack of a kids’ food station—no chicken nuggets, burgers, or pizza in sight.
What About Fussy Eaters?
If your kids (or you!) are picky eaters, you might be wondering if there’s enough here to satisfy them. While there’s no specific kids’ bar (pizza, nuggets, burgers), there were still plenty of simple options:
✔️ Plain rice
✔️ Mickey-shaped potatoes
✔️ Pasta with no sauce
✔️ Codfish and roast chicken
✔️ Carrot sticks, cucumber, and other fresh veggies
✔️ Desserts – The highlight for EVERYONE. A chocolate fountain (yes, really!), marshmallows for dipping and ice cream
I know this might be a concern for parents, but I chatted with a couple of families sitting next to me, and they both said something interesting:
👉 “We’re not here for the food—we’re paying to see the characters.”
And honestly? That sums it up perfectly. The food selection might not be exactly what some kids expect, but the character interactions were truly priceless.
(And let’s be real—there’s always dessert to make up for it!) 🍫✨
Special Diets or Special Occassion? Here are Your Options
If you have specific dietary needs, here’s what to expect at the Plaza Gardens dinner buffet:
🌾 Gluten-Free Choices – I noticed some variety of naturally gluten-free items (listed below). If you have a severe allergy, be sure to speak to a cast member when you arrive—they can guide you on what’s safe.
- Bread (gluten-free on request)
- Chicken, meat, and fish dishes (check labels)
- Vegetables, salads
- Macaroons
🥦 Vegetarian & Vegan Options – The salad bar has a variety of fresh vegetables, and there were some plant-based dishes available, though options were more limited. If you’re vegan, ask a cast member for available choices. You might also want to check out photos from Footsteps on the Globe.
🎂 Birthdays & Celebrations – If you’re celebrating a special occasion, you can pre-order a Disneyland Paris birthday cake to enjoy at the restaurant. It’s a fun way to make your meal even more memorable! Just add it to your booking when you make a reservation or let them know when you arrive. It is currently priced at €45.
🆘 Allergies – Disneyland Paris has an allergen-friendly menu, but options can be limited. You can request an allergy-friendly meal, and the chefs will do their best to accommodate. Always inform your server when you arrive
Dining Solo? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’re considering going solo, I say DO IT! I had such a lovely experience. The Cast Members were super helpful in taking pictures, and I never felt awkward or out of place. Plus, chatting with the families around me gave me some great insights into their experience, too.
💡 Solo Tip: If you’re worried about getting good photos, just ask one of the Cast Members assisting the characters—they’re happy to help!
How to Book Plaza Gardens
Character dining at Plaza Gardens is super popular, so booking ahead is a must. Here’s how you can grab a table:
🔹 Book as Part of a Disney Package – The easiest and least stressful way to secure Plaza Gardens is to add it to your booking when reserving your Disneyland Paris package. You can do this when booking directly through Disney or through Attraction Tickets (usually have better offers).
💡 Bonus Tip: If you book through a package, you can usually spread out the cost in instalments, which makes budgeting a bit easier!
🔹 Book via the Disneyland Paris App – If you’re staying off-site, reservations open 60 days in advance and can be made in the app.
🔹 Use DLP Tables – If you miss out on reservations for the Disneyland Paris Plaza Gardens dinner, I highly recommend DLP Tables, which helps you find last-minute openings.
🔹 Ask at the Restaurant – If all else fails, pop by on the day and check for cancellations. You never know!
📌 Related Post: Need help booking Disneyland Paris dining? Check out my guide here: 9 foolproof Ways to Get sold-Out Tables at Disneyland Paris.
Timing Your Dinner with the Fireworks
If you’re planning on seeing the fireworks, timing your Plaza Gardens reservation is key!
I had Reserved Access for the fireworks, and I wanted to be in the front of the viewing area one hour before the show started. Here’s what worked perfectly for me:
✨ Book Plaza Gardens for 6:45 PM when the fireworks start at 9 PM (arriving for 8 PM).
This gave me plenty of time to enjoy my meal without rushing, take in the fantastic character interactions, and then stroll over to my reserved spot in time for the show.
If you don’t have reserved access, you’ll want to get to the castle even earlier to secure a good view, so keep that in mind when choosing your dining time.
Final Thoughts: Is Plaza Gardens Dinner Worth It?
✅ Amazing character interactions – You get plenty of time with classic Disney characters.
✅ Higher food quality – It feels more like a proper restaurant meal.
✅ Great for solo diners – Friendly atmosphere and helpful cast members.
⚠️ Less variety than before – Some families may miss the wider selection.
⚠️ No kids’ bar – Fussy eaters might not have their usual go-to options.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience at Plaza Gardens and would absolutely recommend it—especially if character interactions are a priority for your trip!
🔎 READ NEXT: If you liked this Disneyland Paris Plaza Gardens Dinner Review, you will also love:
💛 Royal Banquet Review – Is It Worth the Price to Meet These Popular Characters?
🧡 Plaza Gardens Breakfast Review – Better Than Dinner? What’s on the Menu?
❤️ Auberge de Cendrillon Lunch and Dinner Menu – Dine with Disney Princesses
🩷 Disneyland Paris Dining Reservations – How to Snag a Table at the Most Popular Restaurants.
💜 Best Restaurants at Disneyland Paris – Looking for amazing food? Check out my favourite spots in the parks!
